COLUMBUS, Ohio – Jim Tressel, Ohio State head coach, announced the 2005 Ohio State football captains following the team’s rehearsal scrimmage Friday. Linebacker A.J. Hawk and center Nick Mangold, both of Centerville, Ohio, along with safety Nate Salley of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and guard Rob Sims of Macedonia, Ohio, were selected by of vote of both coaches and players.

Tressel said the four players, all seniors, were recognized for their leadership abilities.

“These young men realize the responsibilities of being a captain at Ohio State,” Tressel said. “They have been great leaders throughout the summer and in camp. I am not surprised at their selection.”

Hawk is a preseason candidate for a variety of national awards after being selected as the preseason Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. He also is being considered for the Butkus, Bednarik, Lombardi, Walter Camp and Lott awards this year. He led Ohio State in tackles as a junior with 141 tackles, including 62 solo stops. His efforts as a junior earned him first team All-America honors.

Salley is a candidate for the Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation’s best defensive back. The hard-hitting safety has played in 37 games with 20 career starts to his credit. His speed and size allow him to defend the pass and stop the run equally well. A second team All-Big Ten selection as a junior, Salley has 138 career tackles and two interceptions.

Mangold is in his fourth season at the center position. A candidate for the Rimington Award given to the country’s best center, Mangold enters the 2005 season with experience in 33 games, including 23 starts. He anchors an experienced Ohio State offensive line as one of nine returning starters on that side of the ball. Sims has appeared in 37 games with 28 career starts. He will move to the guard position in 2005 after spending three years at tackle.